Friday, March 21, 2014

Massachusetts Schools - Drug/Alcohol Related Suspensions

Starting with the 2012-13 school year, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education began reporting both in- and out-of-school suspensions by offense type. One of the categories listed was 'Illegal Substances' which included sub-categories that covered offenses such as tobacco use, sale of illegal drugs and alcohol possession among a few others. Here we look at some of the data around this for districts statewide. The total Massachusetts student population for this information was 979,613.

In 2012-13, there were 1,177 students suspended statewide for marijuana possession; this accounted for just 0.12% of the state's student population.

Of the state total, Boston had the highest percentage of students suspended for marijuana possession at 100, but these students made up just 0.17% of BPS's student population overall.

Statewide, 318 students were disciplined for alcohol possession.

607 students were disciplined for alcohol use.

319 students were disciplined for possession of other illegal substances.

When all drug/alcohol related categories are combined, only 0.43% of the state's student population was disciplined for this type of offense in 2012-13.

54.8% students suspended for illegal substance related offenses were Low Income

It is crystal clear from the graph that more youngsters are into drug and alcohol usage nowadays. And huge number of them are getting suspended from classes. I think the best way to get them back into a drug/alcohol free life is taking them for a counselling or sometimes any good residential rehab facility will help. The important thing is parents have to know whether their child has been addicted to alcohol/drug and treat them immediately.